FAQ

Mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters are allowed on our buses. Please note that mandatory securement is required for all mobility devices inside the bus.

While on board the bus, we ask that you observe a few courtesies to make your bus ride easier, safer and a more pleasant experience for yourself and other passengers.

WHAT YOU CANNOT DO:

1. Smoke (including smokeless electronic cigarettes) or drink alcohol
2. Board through the rear door
3. Refuse to pay the fare
4. Litter
5. Use profanity, or engage in disruptive behavior
6. Threaten or harass the driver or other passengers
7. 7. No spraying of aerosol cans or misting substances (e.g. perfume).

WHAT YOU CANNOT BRING ABOARD:

1. Open food or non-spill proof drink containers
2. Flammables (such as gas cans) and vehicle batteries
3. Strollers, grocery carts, etc. that are too large to fit between the rows of seats
4. Animals (except service animals) that are not in an approved container that can fit on your lap
5. Snow skis

WHAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO:

1. Wear shirts and shoes
2. Listen to music only through headphones and keep the volume low enough so other riders can't hear it
3. Remain seated while bus is in motion (when possible)
4. Keep your feet off the seats
5. Keep your hands, arms and head inside the bus. Do not shout out the window
6. Respect fellow riders - no loud talking with passengers or on your cell phone

No refunds or replacement bus passes for purchased, lost, expired, or stolen passes.
Our policy for passengers who want to remain on the same bus for extended periods of time is they may only ride a bus route from the stop they used to get on the bus back to the same stop. Once the passenger leaves the bus, he or she may ride another bus or wait for the next bus on the same route to ride again.

ValleyRide bus services does not use transfers. Instead, a rider can purchase a one-day pass, which is good for unlimited rides on the day of purchase. The cost of a one-day pass is $2 for adults, and $1 for students (ages 6-18) seniors (ages 65+) and persons with disabilities.

ValleyRide operates all of its services (Boise/Garden City and Nampa/Caldwell fixed-line service and intercounty service between Ada and Canyon counties) using fixed bus stops. You need to first determine where you need to pick up the bus and what time the bus will come by your stop. Links to information guides on how to use our bus system are available on the ValleyRide home page.

If you have an unused bus pass (not activated), it will expire one year from the purchase date. The only exception is a one-year pass, which is activated from the day of purchase. 

• Remove any loose items from your bike prior to the arrival of the bus.
• All of our buses, with the exception of paratransit vans, are equipped with bike racks. Each rack holds two or three bicycles. If you have any questions about how to use the bike rack, ask the driver.
• Load the bike as quickly as possible. If you are loading your bike on an empty rack, please place your bike in the slot closest to the windshield of the bus.
• For safety reasons, the driver is not allowed to help you load or unload your bicycle.
• To be assured your bicycle will fit all ValleyRide buses equipped with bike racks, the bike tires must be between 20-29 inches with a maximum width of 2.35 inches. The bike wheelbase cannot exceed 44 inches. ValleyRide is not responsible for any damage to bicycles that do not properly fit the bike rack or are loaded or unloaded incorrectly.
• Make sure the front tire stabilizer is securely in place. Your wheels must fit completely inside the wheel channels. The bus operator will make the final determination as to whether your bike has been successfully secured on the rack.
• If possible, sit near the front of the bus. When exiting, use the front door and tell the driver that you will be unloading your bike. Be sure to load and unload bikes towards the curb. Do not expose yourself to traffic when loading and unloading.
• If no bikes are left on the rack, please secure the rack in the upright position.
• Bikes are not allowed inside the buses with one exception. Mini folding bikes are allowed if the bike can be folded and completely fit between the rows of seats. 
• Please note that ValleyRide is not responsible for damages incurred or caused by or to bicycles on a rack.
• There is no charge for transporting your bike.
• Please note a bicycle with a small gas motor attached to it is considered a moped under Idaho Department of Transportation rules. These vehicles cannot be placed on a bike rack.
• Electric bikes (bicycles with electric motors) are allowed on our bus bike racks. An electric bike cannot block or limit access to any empty bike slots on the rack.
• Panniers (bike bags) can remain on a bike if they do not negatively impact the ability of others to use the bike rack. If the panniers are blocking an empty bicycle slot to the extent that the slot is unusable, the bags or the bicycle must be removed. 

Remember when departing the bus to check for your personal belongings beside and around you. Valleyride is not responsible for items found on the bus. If a non-perishable item is not claimed within 30 days, it will be donated to a local charity. If you think you might have lost something on the bus, call our RideLine at 345-RIDE (7433). You will have to pick up your lost item in person at either:

• The Happy Day Transit Center, 5907 Cleveland Blvd. in Caldwell (9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays). Use the west entrance off the boulevard. Press the button on the call box to alert personnel. 
• Main Street Station (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays), 777 W. Main St. in downtown Boise. Please go to the customer service window.

Funding used for the majority of planning and administration costs for Valley Regional Transit (VRT) is being provided through the City of Boise, Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC) and the Community Planning Association (COMPASS). In addition, the VRT Board of Directors approved a dues structure that will supply on-going funding for planning efforts and two staff members.

Funding for capital/maintenance, Nampa/Caldwell fixed-line service and inter county service primarily comes from three sources - federal grant monies, fare and advertising revenues, and voluntary contributions from the governing bodies for geographical areas that receive service.

Funding for operations for the Boise/Garden City fixed-line system comes from voluntary contributions from both cities and fare and advertising revenues.

In order for a viable coordinated public transportation system to exist in the Treasure Valley, and to expand the existing system into a true regional public transportation system, additional funding sources will have to be found.

The following is a list of available transit services available in the region. For more information on bus services, please call the VRT RideLine at 345-RIDE (7433). For more information about vanpools and carpools, please call 345-POOL (7665). You can also visit rideline.org, an online clearinghouse for information about transportation options in the region. 

• CARPOOL

  A service that matches individuals traveling to the same general location at the same time so they can share the driving. The vehicle is owned by the individuals being matched, and all the operating expenses are provided by the individuals.

• COMMUTER EXPRESS

  Scheduled service geared to the needs of work travel that operates only during peak commute hours. The service generally has few stops.

• DEMAND RESPONSE

  Vehicles operating in response to calls from passengers to the transit operator, who then dispatches a vehicle to pick up the passengers and transport them to their destinations. Vehicles do not operate over a fixed route or on a fixed schedule, and the vehicle may be dispatched to pick up several passengers at different pick-up points before taking them to their respective destinations.

• PARATRANSIT

  Service that operates similarly to demand response, however, is usually only available to individuals who are unable to utilize regular, fixed route bus service because of disability. Eligibility may be limited on a conditional basis.

• FIXED ROUTE

  Service provided on a repetitive, fixed-schedule basis along a specific route with vehicles stopping to pick up and deliver passengers to specific locations.

• PARK AND RIDE

  A parking garage and/or lot used as collector sites for parking passengers' automobiles while they use bus, vanpools, carpools and other transportation services. A listing of park and ride lots in the Treasure Valley can be found by clicking here.

• SENIOR VAN

  Service provided to senior centers, meal sites, or other destinations that is restricted to use by persons at least 55 years of age.

• VANPOOL

  Vans generally owned by an agency that are operated by volunteer drivers to transport passengers from their home or park and rides to their regular place of work. Services are provided on a monthly, pre-arranged basis.
                 

We do not provide service on the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• July 4th
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• December 25th

Transi-Cheks are bring offered to encourage commuters to try an alternative mode of transportation. The Transi-Cheks Program rewards a commuter by subsidizing $20 a month for the first three consecutive months of their ValleyRide bus pass or Commuteride vanpool fare. The program is administered by the Ada County Highway District Commuteride program. Read more about the program.

You cannot smoke while waiting for a bus:

• Inside or outside Main Street Station or the Happy Day Transit Center.
• Within the bus transfer location on the south side of Main Street between 9th and 8th streets.
• Within the bus transfer location at the Towne Square Mall, consisting of the entirely of the raised concrete waiting location and extending out twenty (20) feet into the parking lot on all sides.
• Within 20 feet of all other bus stops, benches, stations, platforms, and shelters.

Baggage that can be stored under a passenger's seat, on a passenger's lap, and/or on the seat next to the passenger will be admitted. The luggage/baggage cannot protrude to another seat, into the aisle, or otherwise interfere with other passengers. Baggage that will not be admitted on board shall include any large, bulky, dangerous or offensive article that may cause harm or discomfort to any passenger.